Charities Minister Andrew Leigh MP spoke at the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission regulators’ day on the slow pace of fundraising regulatory reform, but failed to name and shame the laggards.

The charity sector has championed a #fixfundraising campaign to harmonise Australia’s fundraising laws since 2017. Inconsistent, outdated and fragmented state and territory costs Australia’s 60,000 charities more than $1 million a month in red tape.

It’s an anachronism in a society where most fundraising is conducted through digital technology. 

Despite bipartisan support for harmonising regulation at the federal level, states and territories have dragged the chain on reform. Six years after the campaign began, state and territory Treasurers finally agreed to a set of nationally consistent fundraising principles.

According to Leigh, only Victoria and South Australia have made the necessary changes; allowing an ACNC‑registered charity to fundraise (without a license) in those states. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) recently amended its legislation and turned off the redundant or duplicative parts of their existing regime.

“I have written to those jurisdictions that are yet to legislate harmonised charitable fundraising laws to encourage them to do so as a matter of urgency. In doing so, I have noted how much their charities will benefit from nationally‑consistent charitable fundraising laws,” Leigh said.

It appears reform in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania has been stalled by elections. The Northern Territory does not regulate fundraising, but should adopt the principles. And where on earth is Western Australia? … lift your game, you are failing the charity sector that your communities rely on.